Electrical power transmission protectors with component grippers, and related methods
A dielectric cover for protecting a component of an electrical power transmission system, the dielectric cover comprising: an enclosing part having enclosing portions that are configured for relative movement to each other to enclose the component; and a gripping part having gripping portions that are configured for relative movement to each other to grip the component, the movement of the gripping portions being independent of the relative movement of the enclosing part.
Latest Cantega Technologies Inc. Patents:
The apparatus and method disclosed here relate to the field of electrical power transmission and distribution. There exists a variety of covers used to insulate components of electrical power systems from short circuits caused by contact with animals and birds. Hinged two-piece covers and one-piece snap on covers are examples. These covers may be installed remotely by one or more users. Cutout covers, bushing covers, and lightning arrestor covers are some examples.
The inventor's own prior patent documents disclose dielectric covers for protecting components of electrical power transmission systems, see United States patent publication no. 20080123254 and PCT publication no. WO2011094870, as well as methods of making such protectors. Other protectors are available. In general, these protectors are hinged devices or similar configurations.
SUMMARYA dielectric cover for protecting a component of an electrical power transmission system, the dielectric cover comprising: an enclosing part having enclosing portions that are configured for relative movement to each other to enclose the component; and a gripping part having gripping portions that are configured for relative movement to each other to grip the component, the movement of the gripping portions being independent of the relative movement of the enclosing part.
A method is also disclosed for protecting a component of an electrical power transmission system, the method comprising: securing a gripping part of a dielectric cover to the component, the gripping part connected to an enclosing part having enclosing portions; and after securing the gripping part, moving the enclosing portions relative one another to close the enclosing portions over the component.
A dielectric cover is also disclosed for protecting a component of an electrical power transmission system, the dielectric cover comprising: opposed portions that are movable in relation to each other from an open position to a closed position and define a component enclosing space at least when in the closed position; a component gripper on a first portion of the opposed portions, the component gripper being configured to grip the component independently of a second portion of the opposed portions; and a lock for securing the opposed portions together in the closed position.
A method is disclosed for protecting a component of an electrical power transmission system, the method comprising: securing a first portion of the opposed portions of a dielectric cover to the component, the opposed portions being movable in relation to each other from an open position to a closed position; after securing the first portion, moving a second portion of the opposed portions relative to the first portion to close the opposed portions over the component; and locking the opposed portions together in the closed position.
An apparatus is disclosed for protecting a component of an electrical power transmission system, the apparatus comprising: a dielectric cover having opposed portions that define, at least when in a closed position, a component enclosing space between a hinge and outer cooperating flanges of the opposed portions, the outer cooperating flanges having apertures aligned when in the closed position; and a threaded bolt positioned between one or both of the respective apertures of the opposed portions for securing and moving the opposed portions into the closed position.
In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of the following features: Each enclosing portion of the enclosing portions has a respective hot stick connector. The enclosing portions form a clamshell cover. The gripping part comprises one or more spring latches for gripping at least part of the component between the one or more spring latches. The gripping part comprises a pair of spring latches opposed to one another. Each of the one or more spring latches is terraced to provide plural latch stops for fitting components of different dimensions. Each of the one or more spring latches has a latch release handle. The gripping part is C-shaped. The dielectric cover is shaped to fit a fuse cutout component. The gripping part is C-shaped to fit over, and around side edges of, an upper contact plate of the fuse cutout component. The gripping part has a flange guard for covering the upper contact plate. The gripper is shaped to fit an insulator bushing. The gripping part further comprises a split ring spring latch at a base of the dielectric cover. The split ring spring latch is collectively formed at least in part by a plurality of tines. The lock is a fastener positioned between apertures aligned in outer cooperating flanges of the enclosing portions when in a locked and closed position. The fastener comprises a threaded bolt. The dielectric cover has an opened and uninstalled position where the threaded bolt is inserted through a respective aperture in the second portion of the enclosing portions. The threaded bolt has an eyelet for a hot stick. The threaded bolt has one or more lateral handles. The method is done remotely using a hot stick. The method is carried out by a user located outside a safe Limit of Approach. The threaded bolt has an eyelet for a hot stick, and one or more lateral handles about the eyelet. The gripping part comprises a gripper insert removeably mounted in use to a gripper receiver on one of the enclosing portions. Each enclosing portion comprises a gripper receiver for independently receiving the gripper insert. a lock for securing the enclosing portions together in a closed position. The enclosing portions are connected via a hinge. A pull wire is passed through apertures aligned in cooperating flanges of the enclosing portions when in the closed position, at least one end of the pull wire having a flange stop and at least the other end having a hot stick connector. The lock comprises a swing arm with a slot shaped to receive cooperating flanges of the opposed portions when in a locked and closed position, the swing arm having a pivot axis that passes through an interface plane defined by the cooperating flanges. Locking the opposed portions together in the closed position.
These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the claims, which are incorporated here by reference.
Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in which:
Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described here without departing from what is covered by the claims.
Long-distance electricity transmission is typically carried with high voltage conductors. Transmission at higher voltages reduces resistance power loss, therefore line voltage for long distance lines is stepped up after generation by passing it through transformer stations prior to feeding the power to long-distance transmission lines. Transmission lines traverse large regions and require numerous support towers. The conductors in high tension powerlines are typically uninsulated because of the cost and additional weight of insulated versus uninsulated conductors. Because clearances between adjacent energized elements, and energized and grounded elements, are generally large in transmission systems, these systems generally are not at risk for animal-caused faults or outages.
Substations transform power from transmission voltages to distribution voltages, typically ranging from 2400 volts to 37,500 volts. Distribution voltages allow for reduced system clearances. These reduced clearances between phase to ground and phase to phase, increase system susceptibility to bird or animal caused outages. Electric poles, towers, and other electrical equipment including substations may provide attractive roosts for birds, particularly in treeless regions. If the wings of a bird simultaneously contact a conductor and another object such as an adjacent conductor, support tower or tree, the resulting electrical short-circuit can kill the bird and also damage the power system. The electrical short circuit can further cause electrical system damage resulting in power outages.
Further, the nesting of birds in open cavities in electrical systems increases the risk that predators will be attracted to the nests and cause a power fault or outage. Predators include mammals such as raccoons and cats, birds such as magpies, and snakes. Predators can also cause electrical short-circuits that can cause electrical faults or outages, damage power systems, and kill the predator. Faults caused by birds and other animals often trigger sensitive relay protection schemes, resulting in substation lockouts, interrupting service to thousands or possibly tens of thousands of customers and at the same time damaging expensive substation equipment.
Thus, some electrical power systems are being insulated from short circuits caused by contact by birds and other animals. The variety and number of proposed solutions for repelling birds and other animals from electrocution risks highlights the persistence and magnitude of the problems created by such undesirable intrusion. Many different types of scarecrows and other moving devices have been developed to repel birds. In addition to moving devices, various physical structures often involving spikes or other physical barriers, have been developed to discourage birds from roosting on structures. Other bird repelling concepts use electricity or magnetic fields to discourage bird intrusion. Equipment shield and cage devices have been specifically designed to block birds and other animals from accessing and short-circuiting electrical leads, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,153,383 and 5,485,307.
Generally, the process of retrofitting electrical equipment with dielectric protective covers may be costly and may require powering down the system. Power down interruptions for the purpose of installing protective covers can keep a system down for a half a day or longer time periods, at great cost. Some systems are operated under the direction of a regulatory and scheduling authority that controls the system's downtime scheduling. In locations with minimal spare power transmission capacity, it can be a challenge for a system to get the downtime needed to install protective covers. Because electrical systems are usually scheduled for maintenance downtime on a fairly short notice (typically a week for non-emergency situations), and because scheduled downtime may be cancelled by the Regulatory Authority on an extremely short notice, there is no guarantee that a component protector will be installed during a system's available downtime period. As a result, a system can experience significant delays in protecting their equipment. Thus, in some cases it may not be feasible to de-energize electrical equipment in order to install covers and as a result covers may need to be installed remotely on energized equipment. In addition, remote installation may also be required on energized or non-energized equipment, including equipment that is difficult to access directly.
Referring to
Gripping part 18 may be positioned on a first portion 20 of the enclosing portions (
The gripping part 18 may further comprise one or more spring latches 54, for example a pair of latches opposed to one another, for gripping at least part of the component 12 between the one or more spring latches 54 and the one of the enclosing portions 20, 22 (
To permit remote securing of gripper 18 to component 12, cover 10 may have one or more hot stick connectors 36 and 38, for example shown as apertures in first portion 20 (
After securing the first portion 20, the second portion 22 of the enclosing portions is moved, for example swung, relative to the first portion 20 to close the enclosing portions over the component 12 (sequence from
The enclosing portions 20, 22 may then be locked together in the closed position, for example using a fastener like a threaded bolt 28 (
Bolt 28 may be installed through aperture 46 by threading bolt 28 through aperture 46 until intermediate portion 50 bears within aperture 46. Threaded bolt 28 may have one or more lateral handles 52 for example about the eyelet 29 to permit direct rotation by a user wearing thick dielectric gloves (
Apertures 44 and 46 may align when in the closed position (
Other lock systems than as shown may be used. For example, the lock may comprise a pin and slot, cam lock, eyelet and lock, latching mechanism, Velcro™ strips or other suitable mechanisms. A lock in a simple form may be a mechanism that restricts the opening of portions 20 and 22 when closed. The lock may be remotely actuated for example as shown using hot stick 31.
The cover 10 is configured to permit relative movement between enclosing portions 20 and 22. Thus, cover 10 may further comprise a hinge 30 between the enclosing portions 20, 22 (
Referring to
Referring to
The gripping part 18 of cover 10 is illustrated in
Once first portion 20 is secured by tines 80, second portion 22 may be closed over secured first portion 20 (
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to the sequence from
Referring to
Referring to
The covers 10 shown in the Figures may incorporate one or more entry holes 97 surrounded at least in part by tines 95 (
Referring to
Although most of the dielectric covers 10 illustrated in this document are shaped to fit bushings (not shown) for pole-mounted transformers or cutout switches, dielectric covers 10 may be made to fit other components of an electrical power transmission system. Other such components include pole-mounted transformers, dead ends (for example wire termination, overhead and underground), ampacts, lightning arrestors, and pin type insulators to name a few.
Apertures or holes may be partial apertures, for example slots. Tines may be made of material resistant to animal or plant incursion. Cooperating mating combinations, such as protrusions 172 and indent 174 (
In the claims, the word “comprising” is used in its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles “a” and “an” before a claim feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of the individual features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A dielectric cutout cover for protecting a component that forms a fuse cutout of an electrical power transmission system, the dielectric cover comprising:
- an enclosing part having one or more enclosing portions that are configured to define a component enclosing space to enclose the component; and
- a gripping part comprising one or more latches for gripping at least part of the fuse cutout, in which the dielectric cover is shaped to fit the component;
- in which each of the one or more latches has: a sloped guide portion that biases the latch to open as it is lowered into place on a part of the fuse cutout; and a shoulder that forms a latch stop that locks the gripping part to the fuse cutout after the latch slides past the part of the fuse cutout.
2. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 1 in which each enclosing portion has a respective hot stick connector.
3. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 1 in which the one or more enclosing portions comprises two or more enclosing portions that are configured for relative movement to each other and form a clamshell cover.
4. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 1 in which the one or more latches further comprise one or more spring latches for gripping at least part of the component between the one or more spring latches.
5. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 4 in which the gripping part further comprises a pair of spring latches opposed to one another.
6. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 4 in which each of the one or more spring latches is terraced to provide plural latch stops for fitting components of different dimensions.
7. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 4 in which each of the one or more spring latches has a latch release handle.
8. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 1 in which the gripping part is C-shaped to in use fit over, and around side edges of, an upper contact plate of the fuse cutout, to enclose the upper contact plate between the shoulder and a base-facing flange of the dielectric cutout cover.
9. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 8 in which the gripping part has a flange guard for covering the upper contact plate.
10. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 1 in which the gripping part further comprises a split ring spring latch at a base of the dielectric cover.
11. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 1 in which the gripping part comprises a gripper insert removeably mounted in use to a gripper receiver on the enclosing part.
12. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 3 in which:
- the gripping part comprises a gripper insert removeably mounted in use to a gripper receiver on the enclosing part; and
- each enclosing portion comprises a gripper receiver for independently receiving the gripper insert.
13. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 1 further comprising a lock for securing the enclosing part in a closed position.
14. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 3 in which the two or more enclosing portions are connected via a hinge.
15. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 3 further comprising a pull wire passed through apertures aligned in cooperating flanges of the two or more enclosing portions when in the closed position, at least one end of the pull wire having a flange stop and at least the other end having a hot stick connector.
16. A method for protecting a component of an electrical power transmission system, the method comprising:
- securing a gripping part of a dielectric cover to the component, the gripping part connected to an enclosing part having one or more enclosing portions, in which the component forms a fuse cutout, with the gripping part comprising one or more latches for gripping at least part of the component; and
- closing the one or more enclosing portions over the fuse cutout.
17. A dielectric cutout cover for protecting a component that forms a fuse cutout of an electrical power transmission system, the dielectric cover comprising:
- an enclosing part defining a component enclosing space to enclose the component;
- a gripping part connected to the enclosing part and having a flange guard for covering an upper contact plate of the fuse cutout; and
- in which the gripping part further comprises one or more latches for gripping at least a part of the component with the one or more latches.
18. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 17 in which the enclosing part has a hot stick connector.
19. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 17 in which the enclosing part forms a clamshell cover.
20. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 17 in which the one or more latches further comprise one or more spring latches for gripping at least part of the component between the one or more spring latches.
21. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 20 in which the gripping part further comprises a pair of spring latches opposed to one another.
22. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 20 in which each of the one or more spring latches is terraced to provide plural latch stops for fitting components of different dimensions.
23. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 20 in which each of the one or more spring latches has a latch release handle.
24. The dielectric cutout cover of claim 17 in which the gripping part is C-shaped to fit over, and around side edges of, the upper contact plate.
949184 | February 1910 | Kelman |
983039 | January 1911 | Field |
1177867 | April 1916 | Johnson |
1766636 | June 1930 | Holzel |
2263319 | November 1941 | Treanor |
2834829 | May 1958 | Broverman |
2840631 | June 1958 | Marcroft |
2875267 | February 1959 | Sutton, Jr. |
2989789 | June 1961 | Cohn |
3019287 | January 1962 | Newcomb, Jr. |
3042736 | July 1962 | Salisbury |
3079457 | February 1963 | Newcomb, Jr. |
3238291 | March 1966 | Bosch et al. |
3270120 | August 1966 | Van Name et al. |
3328511 | June 1967 | Cagle |
3484541 | December 1969 | Campbell |
3510568 | May 1970 | Cochran |
3639678 | February 1972 | Muschong |
3639681 | February 1972 | Ettlinger |
3766310 | October 1973 | Paschen |
3835238 | September 1974 | West |
4234753 | November 18, 1980 | Clutter |
4280013 | July 21, 1981 | Clutter |
4845307 | July 4, 1989 | Cumming et al. |
4985599 | January 15, 1991 | Eggleston |
5069310 | December 3, 1991 | Williams et al. |
5153383 | October 6, 1992 | Whited et al. |
5293721 | March 15, 1994 | Richard et al. |
D357458 | April 18, 1995 | Tisbo |
5873324 | February 23, 1999 | Kaddas et al. |
6005196 | December 21, 1999 | Spillyards |
6098348 | August 8, 2000 | Weaver |
D435055 | December 12, 2000 | Puigcerver et al. |
6195861 | March 6, 2001 | Frye et al. |
6255597 | July 3, 2001 | Bowling |
6291774 | September 18, 2001 | Williams |
6303870 | October 16, 2001 | Nazaryan et al. |
6486785 | November 26, 2002 | Hoth |
6583708 | June 24, 2003 | Smith et al. |
6730852 | May 4, 2004 | Puigcerver |
6770809 | August 3, 2004 | De France |
6812400 | November 2, 2004 | Lynch |
6864427 | March 8, 2005 | Radelet et al. |
6995313 | February 7, 2006 | Barnett |
7075015 | July 11, 2006 | Rauckman |
7128601 | October 31, 2006 | Suemitsu et al. |
7154034 | December 26, 2006 | Lynch |
7154036 | December 26, 2006 | Lynch |
7196265 | March 27, 2007 | Spencer |
7201600 | April 10, 2007 | Sokol et al. |
7276665 | October 2, 2007 | Rauckman |
7297869 | November 20, 2007 | Hiller et al. |
7301096 | November 27, 2007 | Strong et al. |
7309837 | December 18, 2007 | Rauckman |
D580878 | November 18, 2008 | Milner |
D595804 | July 7, 2009 | Tollefson et al. |
7622668 | November 24, 2009 | Tollefson et al. |
7679000 | March 16, 2010 | Rauckman |
7772499 | August 10, 2010 | Rauckman |
7834269 | November 16, 2010 | Niles |
7839256 | November 23, 2010 | Bradford et al. |
7884285 | February 8, 2011 | Spencer |
8067691 | November 29, 2011 | Puigcerver et al. |
8115102 | February 14, 2012 | Frye |
8426729 | April 23, 2013 | Hiller et al. |
8633391 | January 21, 2014 | Strong et al. |
8723056 | May 13, 2014 | Kaddas et al. |
8772633 | July 8, 2014 | Behnken |
8859905 | October 14, 2014 | Frye |
8859906 | October 14, 2014 | Hiller et al. |
8901428 | December 2, 2014 | Miller et al. |
8907222 | December 9, 2014 | Stransky et al. |
8957314 | February 17, 2015 | Niles et al. |
9362733 | June 7, 2016 | Lynch |
9413153 | August 9, 2016 | Spencer et al. |
9472325 | October 18, 2016 | Lynch |
9499972 | November 22, 2016 | Kaddas et al. |
9646743 | May 9, 2017 | Spencer |
9702485 | July 11, 2017 | Hiller et al. |
9741476 | August 22, 2017 | Hiller |
9787071 | October 10, 2017 | Rauckman et al. |
9953795 | April 24, 2018 | Kester et al. |
20030010528 | January 16, 2003 | Niles |
20050210769 | September 29, 2005 | Harvey |
3528771 | February 1987 | DE |
20112659 | October 2001 | DE |
20314164 | December 2003 | DE |
1052657 | November 2000 | EP |
2167275 | August 1973 | FR |
080007711 | January 1996 | JP |
2012-185906 | September 2012 | JP |
100944270 | February 2010 | KR |
2007369 | March 2013 | NL |
2001063625 | August 2001 | WO |
2004064216 | July 2004 | WO |
2006081114 | August 2006 | WO |
2011094870 | August 2011 | WO |
- Howard Industries, Inc., “2163 Wildlife Protector,” Laurel, MS, USA, © 2002, 2 pages.
- Hubbell Power Systems, “Cutout Covers 25kV Phase-to-Phase,” available as early as Feb. 23, 2011, retrieved from <https://web.archive.org/web/20150317193939/http://westernsafety.com/hubbellpowersystems/hubbellpowerpg12.html>, 16 pages.
- Midsun Group, “E/Cutout Cover,” <http://www.midsungroupcom/E/Products/cutoutcovers.html> [retrieved Feb. 5, 2013], 2 pages.
- Rauckman Utility Products, “RUP Outage Protection: Minimize Animal-Related Outages! Cutout Covers,” available as early as Jun. 10, 2014, retrieved from <https://web.archive.org/web/20130820202814/http://www.rauckmanutility.com/homecutoutcover.htm>, © 2003-2013, 2 pages.
- Alright Gear, “Covered High Voltage Fuse,” <http://www.hellogear.com/product.detail_312803_th_2994461> [retrieved Jul. 11, 2014], © 2001-2014, 3 pages.
- Tyco Electronics, “Substation Asset Protection for Wildlife: BCIC-5D-6,” <http://energy.tycoelectronics.com> [retrieved May 20, 2008], © 2007, 1 page.
- Tyco Electronics, “Substation Asset Protection for Wildlife: BCIC-8D/18,” <http://energy.tycoelectronics.com> [retrieved May 20, 2008], © 2007, 2 pages.
- Tyco Electronics, “Substation Asset Protection for Wildlife: BCIC-10D/18,” <http://energy.tycoelectronics.com> [retrieved May 20, 2008], © 2007, 1 page.
- Tyco Electronics, “Substation Asset Protection for Wildlife: BCIC-4411,” <http://energy.tycoelectronics.com> [retrieved May 20, 2008], © 2007, 1 page.
- Tyco Electronics, “Substation Asset Protection for Wildlife: BCAC-8D/14,” <http://energy.tycoelectronics.com> [retrieved May 20, 2008], © 2007, 1 page.
- Salisbury, “Outage Protection,” Skokie, IL, USA, 2007, 32 pages.
- Salisbury by Honeywell, “2012 Utility Products,” Bolingbrook, IL, USA, © 2011, 51 pages.
- Salisbury by Honeywell, “Substation Cover-up—Switch Jaw Guard and Barrier,” <http://www.salisburybyhoneywell.com/en-US/Pages/Category.aspx?cate> [retrieved Feb. 14, 2013], 1 page.
- Salisbury, “Outage Protection,” Skokie, IL, USA, © 2006, 18 pages.
- ABB Inc., “Single-Phase Overhead Distribution Switches: Types DCD, RBD, SID, LSID, and ITD,” Product Bulletin, North Pinetops, NC, USA, © 2010, 12 pages.
- Midsun Group, “E/Products: Insulating Products,” <http://midsungroup.com/new_page.htm> [retrieved May 14, 2008], 2 pages.
- Salisbury by Honeywell, “Greenjacket,” Product Specifications, Bolingbrook, IL, USA, © 2011, 2 pages.
- Central Moloney, Inc. “Wildlife Guards,” Apr. 7, 2013, retrieved from <https://web.archive.org/web/20160912082313/http://centralmoloneyinc.com/components/wildlife_guards/default.aspx>, © 2008, 2 pages.
- Salisbury by Honeywell, “Greenjacket: Site Protection Plan,” Rev. 1.0, Jul. 21, 2011, Bolingbrook, IL, USA, 4 pages.
- Salisbury, “Outage Protection,” believed to be available 2012, <https://www.salisburybyhoneywell.com/en/utility/˜/media/ePresence/Extranet/Salisbury/PDFs/Utility/outage_protection.pdf>, 8 pages.
- Tyco Electronics Corporation, “Bus Insulation and Wildlife Protection Products: BCAC,” Jul. 13, 2004, 1 page.
- Preformed Line Products, “Section 19—Distribution (Overhead): Wildlife Protection,” Jun. 5, 2013, 8 pages.
- Central Moloney, Inc., “Customer Data Sheet: Handwheel Type Wildlife Guards,” Aug. 21, 2008, Pine Bluff, AK, USA, 1 page.
Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 30, 2018
Date of Patent: Oct 22, 2019
Patent Publication Number: 20180316171
Assignee: Cantega Technologies Inc. (Edmonton)
Inventors: Martin S. Niles (Stony Plain), Edmond LeRouzic (Edmonton), Keith I Yeats (Edmonton)
Primary Examiner: Angel R Estrada
Application Number: 15/967,252
International Classification: H02B 1/06 (20060101); H02G 7/00 (20060101); H01B 17/00 (20060101); H02G 1/02 (20060101);